häktad

Häktad is a Swedish legal term that translates to "detained" or "held in custody" in English. It refers to a person who has been arrested and is being held by the police or other authorities while an investigation is ongoing. This is a temporary measure, distinct from serving a sentence after a conviction.

A person can be häktad if there is probable cause to believe they have committed a crime and there is a risk that they might flee, tamper with evidence, or continue to commit offenses. The detention must be justified by the circumstances and is subject to review by a court. A prosecutor must apply to the district court for a detention order within a specific timeframe, usually three days, after the arrest.

The court will then decide whether to grant the detention order and for how long. The period of detention can be extended if necessary for the investigation. During this time, the detained person has rights, including the right to legal counsel and to have their case heard by a court. The ultimate goal of häktad is to ensure that investigations can proceed thoroughly and that the public is protected. If the investigation does not yield sufficient evidence for charges, the person will be released. If charges are brought, the detention may continue until a trial or until the person is convicted and sentenced.